GREAT READING

Enjoying Sarasota & Bradenton on a Bargain

Recently I received an email from someone who asked me “What are some life hacks for living cheap in Sarasota”. I thought this question would make a great article. I changed the word from cheap to bargain because for me the word cheap means something, not of value. I wanted to find and share with you good deals for living in the Sarasota or Bradenton area. Deals for Dining in Sarasota or the Bradenton area are plenty. Did you know that there are a few Facebook pages that will advertise restaurant specials around our area?

Check out Sarasota-Sally She offers suggestions and you can even join her friends' group and birthday club to receive specials for your birthday as well as other deals.

Sarasota-Manatee Originals have a website called, EatLikeALocal There you can find offers on discounted gift certificates to local area restaurants. For example, I bought a $25 gift certificate for $17 to a popular local restaurant that has been featured on national television. They also have $50 certificates that can be purchased for as low as $12.50. Eat Like a Local also promotes restaurant week and features area restaurants that offer price fixed menus for two weeks in October. You can sign up for their newsletter which will alert you to restaurant events and discounts.

Happy Hours in Bradenton & Sarasota are pretty good. If you can get away early, there certainly are some bargains. But, happy hours just aren’t for the weekdays in our beautiful area. There are some great places to eat and drink for a discount even on the weekends.

Mandeville Beer Garden, 428 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota: From Wednesday-Sunday 4 PM-7 PM, and Friday & Saturday nights 11 PM-1 AM, you can get $5 small plates, $1 off all draughts and $2 off featured beers.

Terrace at Surf Shack, St. Armands Circle, every day, including weekends, from 2 PM-6 PM, you can enjoy ½ off drinks. This is one of my favorite places on the circle. They have great prices on food and if you can get a few drinks half off, that makes it even better!

Capital Grille, at University Park Mall. Happy Hour started just this past July. Monday-Friday from 4 PM-7 PM in the bar area you can take advantage of the reduced prices on small plates and appetizers. $6 & $8 wines and $10 cocktails. Right now until November, they have a $25 Wagyu burger and wine special. My husband and I went there a few Sundays ago and had that $25 special and it was awesome!

Movie Tickets in Lakewood Ranch & Sarasota

I love going to movies. If you are a member of the Sarasota Film Society (it costs you $50 for 2 people), you can get a bargain on movie tickets in Lakewood Ranch & Burns Court Cinemas. See the top shows for $6 and get a bag of free popcorn too. Membership does come with privileges such as early purchase for events and free admission on Membership appreciation day. Subscribe to their newsletter and get info about what movies they will be showing. You can buy online too.

Fun and inexpensive things to do around the Sarasota area is fairly easy to find too.

Michael’s Wine Cellar/Michael’s on East, 1283 Tamiami Tr., Sarasota runs all night happy hour every Monday evening from 5 PM-9 PM. You can enjoy $6 specials on selected drinks. If you visit their Facebook Page on Monday and find their secret word, mention it to the mixologist and get a free appetizer. Michael’s also has happy hour Monday-Saturday from 5 PM-7PM with drink specials. Visit their Wine Cellar website and see all the special events and tastings.

Ringling Museum, Art After 5. Enjoy a discounted admission from 5 PM-8 PM on Thursdays. For $15 you can spend three hours in the museum and stay for Ringling Underground (which is free when you pay for Art After 5). Listen to live music and check out up and coming artists as they display their works.

Westin Downtown Sarasota Roof Top Bar is wonderful to have a cocktail and catch the sunset. The drinks aren’t too expensive and the crowd does come alive right before the sun goes down. They do offer light bites if you go early, you can secure a good spot too. This is one of my favorite places to enjoy the downtown nightlife.

The Sarasota and Bradenton area has plenty of things to do and you can find some great bargains throughout the area. Subscribe to newsletters of your favorite places and get up to date information on events and bargains.